In this Royal Ballet production, costumes, scenery and lighting feast the eye. MacMillan’s genius shines everywhere, in his acute observation of character and traits transformed so sharply into dance. Take the evolution of the relationship of Manon and Des Griex. As they meet they are young and rather naïve and innocent. In Act 1 their dancing together, with tender ‘travelling lifts’ has the freshness and exhilaration of new-found love. In the next scene in their love nest, the intimacy and ecstasy of their dance movements leaves no doubt that they are now consummated lovers blissfully aware of each other’s bodies. After Des Grieux leaves, and her brother Lescaut and her rich admirer, G.M., come to entice her away with jewels and furs, the mood and movements descend to degradation as Manon abandons love for riches. In this amazing pas de trois, Tamara Rojo’s figures here are so elastic and snake-like sinuous, that one would imagine she is made of india-rubber.In the end Manon’s rapaciousness catches up with her and she descends through remorse to ruin when she is deported as a prostitute and a thief to the New World. Her final dance with Des Grieux with whom she has run off into the Louisiana swamps after his victorious duel, graphically declares her weakness and despair in Rojo’s heavier mournful movements.